Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help.. Rough running engine

[JohnG]

My '95 has been running really rough in the am, when cold. If it gets warmed up real good, it seems to run just fine. It's been like this for a couple weeks, but going on long trip soon, I took it to local diesel shop, that I've had decent luck with, and the mech. 'agreed' with me, (I'm not an expert, and they know it), that it was prob injectors. Well they have some nice repl injectors for same cost as stock, that boost about 40 hp, which I wanted anyway, (but when I could better afford it), so I told them to change them out. . Guess what? STILL got same prob. . I'm furious. . and out $900+ already. . HELP. . lol. . sob. . Can anyone help me understand what else could be the prob, before I get taken to the cleaners. JohnG

 

[EKlem]

Is the truck hard to start or does it just not run well once it is started?



Also, is there any smoke coming out of the tailpipe when it is running rough? If so, what color is it?

 

[JohnG]

Not hard to start. Actually runs fairly smooth at idle, cold, but If I try to drive it away, it thumps like I said. . bad. . very confusing. .

 

[JohnG]

Mech also asked me about smoke, but to tell truth, I never noticed. . didn't really look though. . dumb, huh?. . After starting, I usually get out right away, and have never noticed any big cloud wafting away, or while idling.

 

[KLincoln]

check the return fuel out of the pump is air in it. if so look at your fuel heater/straner screen might be leaking or your return line is leaking

 

[JohnG]

Just heard from the shop. They think it's water in the fuel. Hadn't changed the fuel filter in a while, so I had taken a new one to them when I took truck in, and told them to change it. They did and the new one is getting water in it. Here's the rub on this one. . My "Water in Fuel" light has been working correctly. ie: comes on w/ ignition sw on (for self test), and goes out after few seconds. . and has never come on during any other time. . !?!?. . But now, after changing the fuel filter, they say it's on all the time. . $%^&#$%^&. . What the #$%^& ? They checked relative cyl temps and the #1 is 40-50 degrees cooler than all the others. ? Why?. . Just the way the injector pump is picking up the fuel? and sending more of the water to the #1 cyl. . ?? Even though the fuel tank is 3/4 full, this might be a (relatively) cheap fix. 4 hrs labor to drop the tank, etc. Furhter comment are more than welcome. JohnG

 

[KLincoln]

the engine fan hits the #1 cyl manafold and cools it block the wind.

 

[JohnG]

LOL... Duh!. . Why didn't I think of that. . better yet, why does my mechanic not know this. . and he's standin there lookin at the engine... lmao... ... . I gotta go call him right now and see what he says. . ROTFLMAO

 

[JohnG]

All better now

Oo. Just to put this thread to bed. . Got the truck back and all is well. There was a little water in the fuel filter itself. . That's right. . the NEW one. . !?! That was in a sealed pkg. . !?! how can that be?. Well anyway, when they put in the new injectors, they had some leaky washers, and that was mimicking the prior prob, AND seemed like water in the fuel, but fuel is good and after they re-sealed the injectors it runs greatand faily quiet. . And I gotta believe I do have about 40 HP more (or less. . lol), but it goes even better now than it did and lottza goooooooooooooo. . On to the next problem. . Installing a BHAF, and with the #6 plate AND the new injectors, it really pulls down the little gizmo on the stock air filter housing, so I know I'm needing more air. . I have now fully tasted the horsepower virus on these TD's... every time I add a little, I want more... . :-laf

bye for now. . JG